Maryland, 2006

Hail and Damaging Winds in Maryland, July 18, 2006

July 18, 2006 · NWS LWX · 14 events in 6 counties and zones

An approaching cold front combined with a very hot and humid airmass to generate severe thunderstorms around much of the Mid Atlantic on July 18. Reports of severe weather were received from the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia, through the Washington/Baltimore corridor, to the Chesapeake Bay.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
$126,000
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
14

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS LWX wrote it up.

An approaching cold front combined with a very hot and humid airmass to generate severe thunderstorms around much of the Mid Atlantic on July 18. Reports of severe weather were received from the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia, through the Washington/Baltimore corridor, to the Chesapeake Bay. The most intense of the severe storms occurred in Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia, where the worst damages occurred, and a report of tennis-ball sized hall was also reported. Extensive damages also occurred in the Frederick and Hagerstown areas of Central Maryland due to the severe thunderstorms.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Baltimore/Washington wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jul 18, 1:45 PM EST, 1 hour 45 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 18, 1:45 PM EST, 1 hour 45 minutes before
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Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 18, 2:22 PM EST, 1 hour 8 minutes before
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
322 PM EDT TUE JUL 18 2006

ANZ530>537-DCZ001-MDZ002>007-009>011-013-014-016>018-VAZ021-
025>031-036>042-050>057-WVZ048>055-191000-
CHESAPEAKE BAY NORTH OF POOLES ISLAND MD-
CHESAPEAKE BAY FROM POOLES ISLAND TO SANDY POINT MD-
CHESAPEAKE BAY FROM SANDY POINT TO NORTH BEACH MD-
CHESAPEAKE BAY FROM NORTH BEACH TO DRUM POINT MD-
CHESAPEAKE BAY FROM DRUM POINT MD TO SMITH POINT VA-
TIDAL POTOMAC FROM KEY BRIDGE TO INDIAN HEAD MD-
TIDAL POTOMAC FROM INDIAN HEAD TO COBB ISLAND MD-
TIDAL POTOMAC FROM COBB ISLAND MD TO SMITH POINT VA-
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA-ALLEGANY-WASHINGTON-FREDERICK MD-CARROLL-
NORTHERN BALTIMORE-HARFORD-MONTGOMERY-HOWARD-SOUTHERN BALTIMORE-
PRINCE GEORGES-ANNE ARUNDEL-CHARLES-ST. MARYS-CALVERT-HIGHLAND-
AUGUSTA-ROCKINGHAM-SHENANDOAH-FREDERICK VA-PAGE-WARREN-CLARKE-
NELSON-ALBEMARLE-GREENE-MADISON-RAPPAHANNOCK-FAUQUIER-LOUDOUN-
ORANGE-CULPEPER-PRINCE WILLIAM/MANASSAS/MANASSAS PARK-FAIRFAX-
ARLINGTON/FALLS CHURCH/ALEXANDRIA-STAFFORD-SPOTSYLVANIA-
KING GEORGE-GRANT-MINERAL-HAMPSHIRE-MORGAN-BERKELEY-JEFFERSON-
PENDLETON-HARDY-
322 PM EDT TUE JUL 18 2006

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR MARYLAND WEST OF THE
EASTERN SHORE INCLUDING THE CHESAPEAKE BAY AND EAST OF GARRETT
COUNTY...EASTERN WEST VIRGINIA...NORTHERN AND CENTRAL VIRGINIA...
WASHINGTON DC AND THE TIDAL POTOMAC RIVER.

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT

A HEAT ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FOR THE BALTIMORE AND WASHINGTON
METRO REGION...EAST OF THE BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS...AND LOWER
SOUTHERN MARYLAND UNTIL 8:00 PM EDT. HEAT INDEX VALUES AROUND 105
WILL BE POSSIBLE...ESPECIALLY DURING THE LATE AFTERNOON.

IN ADDITION...AS A COLD FRONT APPROACHES LATE IN THE DAY AND THIS
EVENING...A FEW THUNDERSTORMS MAY BECOME SEVERE. NORTHERN
MARYLAND AND A PORTION OF THE EASTERN WEST VIRGINIA PANHANDLE HAVE
BEEN OUTLOOKED AS HAVING A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS.
THE PRIMARY THREAT WITH THESE STORMS WILL BE LARGE HAIL AND DAMAGING
WINDS.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY

TROPICAL DEPRESSION 2 HAS FORMED SOUTHEAST OF THE NORTH CAROLINA
COAST. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THIS TROPICAL SYSTEM WILL TRACK INTO
THE LOWER CHESAPEAKE BAY ON THURSDAY...AND BRING TROPICAL STORM
FORCE WINDS INTO THE MARYLAND PORTION OF THE CHESAPEAKE BAY.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE NEEDED LATER THIS AFTERNOON.

SMITH

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jul 18, 11:56 AM EST, 3 hours 34 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
1256 PM EDT TUE JUL 18 2006

DCZ001-MDZ002>007-009>011-013-014-016>018-VAZ026>031-037>042-
050>057-WVZ048>055-182300-
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA-ALLEGANY-WASHINGTON-FREDERICK MD-CARROLL-
NORTHERN BALTIMORE-HARFORD-MONTGOMERY-HOWARD-SOUTHERN BALTIMORE-
PRINCE GEORGES-ANNE ARUNDEL-CHARLES-ST. MARYS-CALVERT-ROCKINGHAM-
SHENANDOAH-FREDERICK VA-PAGE-WARREN-CLARKE-ALBEMARLE-GREENE-
MADISON-RAPPAHANNOCK-FAUQUIER-LOUDOUN-ORANGE-CULPEPER-
PRINCE WILLIAM/MANASSAS/MANASSAS PARK-FAIRFAX-
ARLINGTON/FALLS CHURCH/ALEXANDRIA-STAFFORD-SPOTSYLVANIA-
KING GEORGE-GRANT-MINERAL-HAMPSHIRE-MORGAN-BERKELEY-JEFFERSON-
PENDLETON-HARDY-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...WASHINGTON...CUMBERLAND...HAGERSTOWN...
FREDERICK...WESTMINSTER...GAITHERSBURG...COLUMBIA...BALTIMORE...
ANNAPOLIS...WALDORF...ST MARYS CITY...HARRISONBURG...WINCHESTER...
FRONT ROYAL...CHARLOTTESVILLE...LEESBURG...CULPEPER...MANASSAS...
MANASSAS PARK...FAIRFAX...ALEXANDRIA...FALLS CHURCH...
FREDERICKSBURG...BAYARD...PETERSBURG...KEYSER...MARTINSBURG...
CHARLES TOWN
1256 PM EDT TUE JUL 18 2006

...SLIGHT RISK FOR SEVERE STORMS LATE THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING...

A COLD FRONT WILL MOVE INTO THE REGION THIS EVENING. DUE TO THE
APPROACH OF THE COLD FRONT...COMBINED WITH THE VERY HOT AND HUMID
AIRMASS REMAINING OVER THE MID ATLANTIC...THERE WILL BE THE
POTENTIAL FOR SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS.

THE MOST LIKELY TIME FOR SEVERE STORMS WOULD BE BETWEEN 5 PM AND
MIDNIGHT. THE PRIMARY THREAT WILL BE FROM DAMAGING WIND GUSTS.

SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE REQUIRED LATE THIS AFTERNOON OR EVENING
ACROSS WESTERN MARYLAND AND THE EASTERN PANHANDLE OF WEST
VIRGINIA.

MONITOR NOAA WEATHER RADIO FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION...
FORECASTS AND POSSIBLE WATCHES OR WARNINGS.
Local storm report, Jul 18, 2:11 PM EST, 1 hour 19 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
311 PM EDT TUE JUL 18 2006

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0235 PM     HAIL             4 S UPPER TRACT         38.94N 79.13W
07/18/2006  E0.75 INCH       GRANT              WV   TRAINED SPOTTER

            THREE QUARTER INCH HAIL AT GRANT COUNTY AIRPORT.

0258 PM     HAIL             4 S PETERSBURG          38.94N 79.13W
07/18/2006  E1.75 INCH       GRANT              WV   TRAINED SPOTTER

            GOLFBALL SIZED HALL AON NORTH CREEK ROAD.

&&

CMEADOWS
Local storm report, Jul 18, 2:51 PM EST, 39 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...CORRECTED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
351 PM EDT TUE JUL 18 2006

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0235 PM     HAIL             PETERSBURG GRANT AIRPOR 39.00N 79.15W
07/18/2006  E0.75 INCH       GRANT              WV   TRAINED SPOTTER

            THREE QUARTER INCH HAIL AT GRANT COUNTY AIRPORT.

&&

MANNING

The radar

The Dover AFB radar (KDOX), 114 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:29 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

10 thunderstorm wind, 4 hail. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Prince George'S

When
July 18, 3:30 PM EST
Where
Prince George'S County, Landover
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$12,000
Reported by
FIRE DEPT/RESCUE SQUAD
Coordinates
39.567, -76.350

Powerlines downed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Allegany

When
July 18, 3:31 PM EST
Where
Allegany County, Piney Grove
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
39.000, -76.783

Trees down along Interstate 68 near Orleans Road. The downed trees blocked the interstate temporarily.

Hail, Prince George'S

When
July 18, 3:42 PM EST
Where
Prince George'S County, Palmer Park
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
BROADCAST MEDIA
Coordinates
38.933, -76.917

Quarter sized hail reported by the local media.

Thunderstorm Wind, Prince George'S

When
July 18, 3:55 PM EST
Where
Prince George'S County, Riverdale
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$25,000
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
39.700, -78.383

Telephone poles and wires downed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Washington

When
July 18, 4:50 PM EST
Where
Washington County, Hagerstown Arpt
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Reported by
AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates
38.917, -76.867

Measured wind gust at the Hagerstown Regional Airport.

Thunderstorm Wind, Washington

When
July 18, 4:57 PM EST to 5:00 PM EST
Where
Washington County, Maugansville
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$20,000
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
38.950, -76.950

Trees and powerlines downed. Some tree damage also near Long Meadow.

Thunderstorm Wind, Frederick

When
July 18, 5:50 PM EST
Where
Frederick County, Middlepoint
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$13,000
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
39.717, -77.733

Trees and powerlines downed.

Hail, Frederick

When
July 18, 6:10 PM EST
Where
Frederick County, Braddock Hgts
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
39.683, -77.750

Penny sized hail.

Hail, Frederick

When
July 18, 6:20 PM EST
Where
Frederick County, Adamstown
Measured
0.88 in hail
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
39.567, -77.533

Nickel sized hail.

Thunderstorm Wind, Carroll

When
July 18, 6:26 PM EST
Where
Carroll County, New Windsor
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
39.433, -77.500

Powerlines downed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Harford

When
July 18, 6:40 PM EST
Where
Harford County, Jarrettsville
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
39.317, -77.483

Powerlines downed.

Hail, Carroll

When
July 18, 7:00 PM EST
Where
Carroll County, Mt Airy
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
39.550, -77.100

Penny sized hail.

Thunderstorm Wind, Harford

When
July 18, 7:02 PM EST
Where
Harford County, 2 mi N of Bel Air
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$18,000
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
39.570, -76.483

Trees and powerlines downed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Prince George'S

When
July 18, 7:35 PM EST
Where
Prince George'S County, Bowie
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$8,000
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
39.383, -77.150

Powerlines downed.

What these are

Thunderstorm Wind
Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
Hail
Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Maryland in 2006Every state in 2006This day in weather historyWarnings in Maryland, July 2006

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5520226, 5520227, 5520228, 5520229, 5520230, 5520231, 5520232, 5520233, 5520234, 5520235, 5520329, 5520330, 5520331, 5520332.